Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. (Ephesians 6:5-9)

Christ On The Job

Of all the things we do in life there is nothing we spend more time engaged with than our jobs. Over a lifetime, thousands of hours are spent in the workplace. Retirement is the hope that we can enjoy the golden days at our own pace away from the hectic, daily grind of work. Sermons are often preached on the reality of the day of judgement and the accounting of our lives before God. If there is one part of our life that will be the bulk of that judgment; the manner of our life on the job will be it. Paul reminds us of the proper kind of conduct as people of God in our work is vital to our salvation.

Children of God should be the best employees and employers because of our character of righteousness. We work at our jobs not because we serve the human institutions of commerce but because we serve the Lord God. The apostle admonishes the Christian to work with a spirit of fear and trembling before the heavenly Father. Christ is our leader in every part of life – especially on the job. We may receive recognition for our work from the company but again the focus of our labors is to glorify God. Faithful living is faithful working.

The character of the Christian in the workplace is the exaltation of Jesus Christ. We are always honest in our work. When tasked to perform a job we do it heartily to the Lord. Time is not squandered in cheating the company of the expectation given for our job. People of God do not steal from the company even if it is an accepted norm in some places. Our word is our bond because we know God is listening. We do the best we can as we let Christ shine through our lives to others in the workplace. What they find in us is kindness, forgiveness, benevolence, and a work ethic that gives honor to God. Doing the will of God at work is just as important as doing the will of God on Sunday morning. The reward of a faithful Christian in the workplace is the reward God will give in eternity.

Those who have leadership roles in the workplace are shining examples of Christ. Their leadership is guided by the principles of truth, righteousness, fairness and understanding. All the characteristics of the child of God should be exalted in the workplace. Paul reminds the ‘masters’ they have a ‘master’ in heaven. You may be the CEO of the broom factory but your heavenly CEO is watching carefully how your life reflects the glory of Jesus Christ. There is a wonderful opportunity to show Christ when we realize the impact of godly living in the workplace. From the employee who has to sweep the floor to the executive in the top office, children of God are to remember they serve the Lord – not man.

The attitudes of the Christian worker will show a crooked and perverse world that righteousness exalts a nation. Whatever we work for in retirement will fade away in time. Let us not work to gain a golden watch but strive diligently for a golden crown that has our name on it. The world needs more faithful people of God working diligently in the workplace giving glory to God. Let the word of God guide your life as you go to work today. Be the kind of employee and employer that will let others see Jesus Christ living in everything you do. Work for the Lord today.

Someone has said … that the only Bible which millions of people read today is the daily example of Christians – your example and mine. (James E. Murray, Address, March 31, 1948)